My professional side relates it to my work with autism. If a child has repetitive motions, it gradually takes them higher, heightens and excites them. It's physical in that case. My personal side just knows that I'm obsessive at heart, and it is a big part of me that doesn't seem to occur very often anymore. But when it does, it's all intensity.
I'm obsessed with Steve Perry and Journey. For two weeks or so now, I've been listening to Journey and Steve Perry whenever possible.
It all started with the fact that lately, when certain radio stations play older songs, usually 80's rock, I've been really into it. Generally I have to be in the mood to listen to it for a long period of time in the car, otherwise it's pop, industrial, instrumental, other progressive rock, or 90's stuff. But the 80's is really getting under my skin in a good way. I have a few playlists on Youtube that I constantly play while doing stuff around the house, cooking, cleaning, etc. One night I decided to make and "Oldies" playlist with solely 80's rock. This just spiraled and I came across Journey. A band I really have no knowledge of except for some of their hits, which honestly I can't listen to too often. "Any Way You Want It," "Don't Stop Believing," and "Separate Ways" are examples of songs that are overplayed and frankly just generally annoy me anymore. But "Faithfully" is a song that only somewhat recently I discovered was a Journey song. I'm not good with lyrics or knowing what band sings what, that all has to do with my hearing. Technology these days really helps with that. I previously thought Elton John sang "Faithfully," it was just a resemblance to a John song that made me make the connection. But it's always a song I really enjoy hearing on the radio, but it was cursory. I never really, truly, listened to it. While I was compiling my playlist, I played "Faithfully" and it just fucking hit me like bricks. I love this fucking song. I ended up spending roughly two hours listening to Journey songs before going to bed. I could of just watched TV like I always do, but I was having too much fun. What also encapsulated me was that I never knew what the band members of Journey looked like. From their sound I always imagined a bunch of really white dudes. Once I saw that singer, I was intrigued [he's Portuguese]. I started to look at pictures and watch videos. I was hooked, and attracted to Steve. Attraction always fuels my obsessions.
I have listened to "Faithfully" at least a hundred times since that night. It has expanded to other Journey songs and to Steve Perry's solo stuff. I'm so obsessed that I feel like sharing this new thing with everyone around me. However I realized that I didn't want to talk about it too much, because it begins to fade and alter my obsession. It's safe to share here because I don't have to hear what anyone else says. Because the words of others always carve into my mind. Plus I want to write this down for future me. To remind me of this time. Part of me feels like this is totally random, but I now know more of what draws me in. The music video for "Faithfully" is one of the earliest "tour" videos of the time. When watching it is gives me the sense of the old days. Yes, most of their music was created before I was born, but the reality is the sense of feeling. Everyone can relate to those triggers of the more innocent days. Journey gives me that. A lot of the live videos were from 1981-1983 and they are fantastic. I love it! Perry can sing so fucking well and so effortlessly.
As I listened more, I realized how many more of these songs I recognized but didn't know it was Journey or Perry.
"Open Arms"
"Lights"
"Oh Sherrie"
"Foolish Heart"
"When You Love A Woman"
"Send Her My Love"
"Wheels in the Sky"
"Who's Crying Now"
and the list only continues to grow. Even the three songs I mentioned earlier that tend to annoy me, have new light that allows me to enjoy them again. "Oh Sherrie" is second after "Faithfully", I've listened to it over a hundred times as well. I honestly thought that song was sung by a woman before. And I fucking love it. The obsession spreads of course. I've read bit about Steve and only continue to be fascinated. Which is more exciting knowing that he's starting to sing again. Today I even bought a Journey shirt online, and I'm pumped!
But back to "Faithfully". His voice makes me cry. At least once a day of my repeated listenings, it brings tears to my eyes. I'm only a little sad that my favorite Journey song wasn't written by Steve, but I'm so grateful for the changing members in the band that lead to the creation of that song which leads me to the exact place that I'm in. When listening and/or watching this song, the feelings that accrue inside of me change as the song goes on. I'm literally on a journey with every listen and I have yet to tire of it. I am typically drawn to deeper voices overall, but there is a big place in my heart for men that can sing high notes. I can't do it so I deeply respect and am in awe of it. When he screams in the end, I'm just lost. Between guitar solos, pianos, violins/cellos, and vocals, I'm in heaven. Also in the music video, the second time he sings the word "faithfully" he looks at the camera and it melts me every time.
Next is "Foolish Heart" which I started listening to this week. Pretty damn sure I've heard it before, and now I can't stop. This is actually a song I can relate to, which I find hard to do most of the time. It also makes me cry sometimes and what's more beautiful is that it's inspired me creatively.
What also draws me to Steve in the things I've read from and about him is that he is described as still being a pure person. I deeply appreciate that and makes my love for the music stronger. Another thing, while watching the older Journey videos, there's something about his face that feels familiar. It reminds me of someone or many people and I have yet to put my finger on it.
My friend that is getting married in a couple months even mentioned she might request a Journey song for me at her wedding and, by jebus, I hope she does! I will dance my fucking heart out.
In my constant wanderings, I've listened to a couple covers and also listened to the new Journey singer sing some of my favorite songs. He's definitely got an impressive voice, for sure. Yet it's not the same for me, but I applaud him so much.
I must stop now. Enjoy!
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